Secretary-Treasurer -- SEIU 32BJ -- About the Union

John McCain quiere ser el reformador en estas elecciones, pero en temas de tanta relevancia como los impuestos o la economía, el “maverick” no ofrece nada más que las viejas recetas de Bush: Ayuda a los ricos y ya llegará el maná.

Es bastante revelador que McCain apoye ahora los irresponsables recortes de impuestos a los ricos que Bush patrocinó, y a los que él mismo se opuso. Un plan que no ayudará a aliviar la carga de la clase media -- los recortes irán a parar, sobre todo, a los bolsillos de aquellos que ganan más de $2,9 millones al año-- mientras que la clase media acabará pagando el pato, con una deuda nacional que no parará de crecer.

Una vez más, McCain se pone del lado de los fundamentalistas de mercado que no sienten la necesidad de hacer frente a las grandes desigualdades que afectan negativamente a la economía de nuestro país. La disparidad entre ricos y pobres no ha sido tan pronunciada en décadas, y el goteo económico de McCain no nos va a sacar de ésta.

La clase media y la clase trabajadora norteamericana están viendo como sus ingresos disminuyen, sus puestos de trabajo desaparecen, la pobreza aumenta y el déficit se dispara, y McCain quiere hacerle frente a esta crisis con más recortes de impuestos para los ricos.

Douglas Holtz-Eakin, asesor económico de McCain, describió su plan fiscal como una forma de "devolver los impuestos a los contribuyentes americanos que están pasando dificultades con el alza de los precios del gas y la subida de los alimentos." Tratar de presentar este plan como el elixir de los republicanos que aliviará a la clase media no sólo es acto de cinismo, sino que habla muy mal de la capacidad de McCain para gobernar en tiempos de crisis económica.

La cruda realidad es que Obama ofrece un plan de socorro más concreto para aquellos que realmente están sufriendo con la subida de los precios del gas y los alimentos. Las familias de clase media y clase trabajadora - la inmensa mayoría de las familias del país que ganan menos de $250.000 al año – verían sus impuestos reducidos con Obama, mientras el plan fiscal de McCain beneficiaría principalmente al 1% de la población. ¿Qué va a cambia si hacemos más de lo mismo?

Seamos sinceros, McCain nunca ha tenido interés en abordar la desigualdad de ingresos en el país, y nunca a puesto en cuestión la ortodoxia económica de su partido. Reconoce que sigue "educándose" en estos temas, pero no parece que le importe que las “fuerzas del mercado” dejen más de la mitad de toda la riqueza del país en manos del 5% más rico.

McCain está, como le gusta recalcar, "siempre por menos regulación", apoyando precisamente el tipo de propuestas que han llevado a Wall Street a la peor crisis desde la Gran Depresión.

Con una crisis en Wall Street que ha puesto a temblar el sistema financiero de nuestro país, los trabajadores de los Estados Unidos necesitan un presidente que ponga en orden la economía y garantice alivio para la clase media, no ilusiones de un gran maná.

Héctor Figueroa
Secretario Tesorero de la local 32BJ

Con más de 100,000 afiliados, incluyendo 5,000 en área del Medio Atlántico, la local 32BJ es la unión de servicios a propiedades más grande del país.

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Senator John McCain prides himself on being a straight talker, but on immigration the straight talk express has taken a sharp turn to the right -- as in the political right. The maverick who once led the fight for immigrant worker rights with Senator Ted Kennedy is turning away from the issue and turning his back on millions of Latinos. Making up with conservative political groups, who's support is vital for his chances of wining the White House, is the new priority. And if abandoning immigration reform is what Conservative Republicans seek, he seems ready to deliver.

Since becoming the Republican party's presumptive nominee for President, McCain's high-minded speeches on the need for immigrant worker rights have been replaced by tough-sounding talk on beefing up the border and defending the country from the so-called threat from undocumented workers crossing the border. On his homepage, you no longer see no any mention of immigration reform.

At the National Council of La Raza Convention this past week, McCain sounded sheepishly apologetic about his 'about-face' asking “for your trust that when I say I remain committed to fair, practical and comprehensive immigration reform.” Securing the border, as McCain stresses, is important, but it won't solve the bigger problem of what to do with the 12 million undocumented workers already living and working here. Senator Obama's proposals confronts this issue more responsibly by recognizing that we must find a way to legalize our undocumented workers who are an integral and indispensable part of our economy.

Immigrants account for 5.4 percent of the country’s GDP and generate $700 billion in economic activity a year. Further, they fill a growing gap in our aging workforce and contribute about $6 to $7 billion in Social Security per year, which helps our elderly retire with dignity. Yet our immigration system is harmful to immigrant workers and helpful to unscrupulous employers. It needs to be brought into sync with today’s economic reality by integrating, not evicting, new immigrants into our cities and communities.

But McCain knows all this. For years, he was the voice of reason on the issue of immigration reform. But now he is running for the highest office in the land, and has political reasons to run from his record on immigration -- even if it means turning his back on Latinos. It’s a telling statement about McCain’s commitment on this and who knows what other issues.

Hector Figueroa
Secretary Treasurer of SEIU 32BJ

Un McCain no tan directo

El senador John McCain se enorgullece de ser un hombre de verbo directo, pero en inmigración su Straight Talk Express ha virado demasiado a la derecha. El político inconformista que junto al senador Ted Kennedy lideró en el congreso la lucha por los derechos de los inmigrantes, hoy da la espalda a su propia iniciativa y a millones de latinos.

Ahora su prioridad es contentar a los grupos conservadores, cuyo apoyo es vital para poder llegar a la Casa Blanca, y si para ello tiene que abandonar la reforma de inmigración, McCain parece dispuesto a contentarlos.

En el Concilio Nacional de La Raza esta pasada semana, McCain su tono sonaba casi a disculpa solicitando a los presentes "su confianza cuando digo que me mantengo comprometido con una justa, práctica e integral reforma de inmigración".

Asegurar la frontera, como el senador McCain insiste, es una cuestión importante, pero no va a resolver el problema de fondo: qué hacer con los 12 millones de trabajadores indocumentados que ya viven y trabajan aquí. El senador Obama se enfrenta a esta cuestión con más responsabilidad que McCain, reconociendo claramente que además de asegurar la frontera hay que legalizar a los trabajadores indocumentados que trabajan y viven ya aquí, y reconocer que son una parte integral e indispensable de nuestra economía.

Los inmigrantes son, y seguirán siendo, un componente vital da nuestra economía: producen 5,4 por ciento del PIB del país y generar aproximadamente 700 millones de dólares en la actividad económica cada año. Además son indispensables para rejuvenecer nuestra envejecida fuerza de trabajo. Tan solo los trabajadores indocumentados, contribuyen cada año con una suma de entre 6 mil y 7 mil millones de dólares a la Seguridad Social, ayudando a nuestros jubilados a retirarse con dignidad. A pesar de ello, el actual sistema de inmigración es dañino para los trabajadores inmigrantes y beneficia a los empleadores sin escrúpulos. Necesitamos un sistema de inmigración que responda a las necesidades de nuestra realidad económica y que facilite la integración de los nuevos inmigrantes.

McCain lo sabe. Durante años él ha sido una voz razonable en éste tema. Pero compitiendo por la presidencia tiene razones políticas para huir de su pasado pro-inmigrantes, aunque para ello tenga que dar la espalda a los latinos. Este cambio de dirección dice muy poco de su compromiso con los inmigrantes, y quién sabe sobre que otros temas.

Hector Figueroa
Secretario Tesorero de la 32BJ

Published: July 25, 2008

Hector Figueroa
Secretary Treasurer of SEIU 32BJ

Desde que McCain se convirtiera en el presunto candidato del partido republicano a la presidencia, su sólido discurso sobre los derechos de los trabajadores inmigrantes ha mutado en una soflama sobre la necesidad de aumentar la seguridad para defender al país del peligro de los trabajadores indocumentados que cruzan la frontera. Incluso en su website no hay rastro del tema de la inmigración.
En el Concilio Nacional de La Raza esta pasada semana, McCain su tono sonaba casi a disculpa solicitando a los presentes "su confianza cuando digo que me mantengo comprometido con una justa, práctica e integral reforma de inmigración".

Hector Figueroa
Secretario Tesorero de la 32BJ

Re ''New Jersey's Immigration Crackdown'' (editorial, April 16):

There is no question that those who commit crimes should be punished to the fullest extent of the law. But allowing local police authorities to act as quasi-immigration enforcement wades into dangerous territory.

The actions against immigrants seen lately in towns and cities across New Jersey should give all of us pause. Rounding up the people who clean New Jersey's offices and homes, take care of the sick and elderly, and do a host of other jobs important to our economy is not the solution to the our nation's immigration problem.

Divisive enforcement-only measures misuse taxpayer dollars and spread fear in our communities. They also scare immigrants, making them less likely to report real crimes.

These measures haven't worked in other places, and they won't work in New Jersey.

Hector Figueroa
New York, April 17, 2008

The writer is the secretary treasurer for 32BJ S.E.I.U., one of the biggest private-sector unions in the country.

Published: April 17, 2008

Cleaners at three area malls will soon begin earning as much as $8,000 more a year under a new employment contract struck with Control Building Services, which provides cleaning services at the properties, according to the union representing the workers.

Under the four-year contract, cleaners at Jefferson Valley Mall in Yorktown Heights, the Nanuet Mall and The Westchester in White Plains will begin earning $11 an hour May 1, said SEIU 32BJ, the nation's largest union representing workers in service occupations.

The contract would affect 57 workers in the three malls, which are owned by Indianapolis-based Simon Property Group Inc.

The agreement reached with Control Building Services of Secaucus, N.J., applies to most of Simon Property's 17 malls in five Eastern states, the union said.

For some New York workers, who earn the state's minimum wage - $7.15 an hour, the raise will result in an hourly increase of as much as 54 percent, or $3.85, 32BJ said.

Additionally, the contract provides workers with benefits including fully paid health care insurance for full-time employees, plus prescription-drug, vision, dental and life insurance.

The contract, which expires Dec. 31, 2011, brings the cleaners to parity with other service workers in the region in wages and benefits, said union spokeswoman Lynsey Kryzwick.

The deal provides yearly wage increases of 50 cents an hour for the length of the contract.

Hector Figueroa
New York, April 17, 2008

The writer is the secretary treasurer for 32BJ S.E.I.U.,
one of the biggest private-sector unions in the country

Preoccupation with Presidential primaries and worries about a shaky economy are masking a behind the scenes move by GOP conservatives to bring enforcement only immigration bills to the floor of the U.S. House of Representatives. While we are in desperate need of immigration reform, no politicians are likely brave enough to step up and introduce a responsible bill before the elections in November. Instead, anti-immigrant actors are trying to bypass committee hearings and quick-step the deeply flawed SAVE Act (or Secure America through Verification and Enforcement) onto the House floor in the hopes that opponents of the bill will refuse to stand up against it in a floor vote.

Make no mistake: SAVE would not resolve or even ease the immigration crisis. In fact, it would make matters worse by subjecting hundreds of thousands of workers to improper firings and unlawful discrimination through a dubious pre-employment screening. This would adversely impact not the just the workers, but many struggling businesses and the increasingly fragile U.S. economy.

The bill would create a mandatory electronic employment eligibility verification system called E-Verify, which is problematic because the system works off of inaccurate databases that will put many at risk of loosing their jobs. Imposing a mandatory electronic employment eligibility system on all employers in the United States will not cause the 12 million undocumented immigrants in this country to pack up and leave.

Instead, those who are currently working above ground will likely move into the underground cash economy, leaving our communities without the tax revenue from their paycheck and leaving themselves with even less protection from unscrupulous employers.

The millions of undocumented workers who live and work in the country not only contribute to our economy, but they provide billions of dollars to a Social Security system they are unable to tap. They have also become part of the rich, social and cultural fabric of New York, Los Angeles, Chicago and so many of our cities across the country.

Reviving SAVE is a cynical ploy by GOP conservatives to kill responsible immigration reform that must be stopped.

Salvarnos de SAVE

La preocupación por las elecciones primarias y una creciente inquietud por una economía cada vez más frágil, están ensombreciendo los movimientos de los conservadores del GOP para lograr la aprobación en la Cámara de Representantes de proyectos de ley punitivos con los inmigrantes en los Estados Unidos.

Si bien necesitamos desesperadamente una reforma de inmigración integral, ningún responsable político está siendo lo suficientemente valiente como para dar un paso y presentar un proyecto de ley responsable antes de las elecciones de noviembre. En su lugar, agentes antiinmigrantes están tratando de sortear los procedimientos rutinarios de la cámara e introducir por la vía rápida la muy viciada SAVE act (Secure América through Verificación and Enforcement) con la esperanza de que los opositores del proyecto de ley se nieguen a rechazarla en un clima electoral.

No nos equivoquemos, SAVE no resolverá, ni tan siquiera aliviará la crisis de inmigración. Por el contrario, va a empeorar la situación, sometiendo a cientos de miles de trabajadores a despidos improcedentes y a discriminación ilegal a través de una dudosa verificación. Este sistema no solo afectará de forma negativa a los trabajadores, sino que también va a poner en peligro a muchas empresas y una cada vez más frágil economía en los EE.UU.

El proyecto de ley propone la creación de un sistema obligatorio de verificación de elegibilidad de empleo denominado E-Verify. El enorme problema es que funciona con bases de datos con elevados niveles de error y pondrá a muchos en riesgo de perder sus puestos de trabajo.

Imponer este sistema de control a los empleadores de todo el país no va a hacer que los 12 millones de inmigrantes indocumentados que hay en el país hagan su equipaje y vuelvan por donde entraron. Tan solo sumergirá aún más en las sombras a los que ahora tributan, privando a las comunidades de los impuestos generados con su trabajo y dejando a los propios trabajadores todavía más desprotegidos ante empleadores sin escrúpulos.

Los millones de trabajadores indocumentados que viven y trabajan en el país, no sólo contribuyen a nuestra economía, sino que proporcionan miles de millones de dólares a nuestro sistema de Seguridad Social, contribuyendo con fondos que después no pueden reclamar. Ni que decir tiene los innumerables aportes al tejido social y cultural de Nueva York, Los Ángeles, Chicago y tantas otras ciudades del país.

Revivir SAVE es una cínica estratagema de los conservadores del GOP para acabar con una reforma migratoria responsable. Es necesario detenerlo.

Héctor Figueroa es Secretario Tesorero de la 32 BJ SEIU.

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The following statement is attributable to Héctor Figueroa, 32BJ Secretary-Treasurer:

“Judge Breyer of the Federal District Court in San Francisco clearly understands what the Bush administration does not - that implementing “enforcement only” policies based on a backlogged and inaccurate database will not fix our broken immigration system. The decision to extend the temporary restraining order preventing the Social Security Administration from mailing no-match letters is a victory for the hard-working immigrants who help keep our economy humming.

“Anyone who works 14 hour days mopping floors, picking vegetables or handling meat on a factory line should be treated with respect and not targeted for deportation or harassment. These are not bad people, they are good people affected by bad laws. Congress should take note of this decision and find the will to pass comprehensive immigration reform.”

That the callous killing of an immigrant worker — and routine accidental deaths of immigrants who work in often perilous conditions — receive hardly any attention from the government and public is a horrifying commentary on our attitude toward immigrant workers.

Your Aug. 12 editorial “An Abundance of Cruelties” came just two days after the Bush administration, in the face of failed Congressional reform, issued new “enforcement only” measures that will make a bad situation worse for immigrants and their families. The vast majority of undocumented immigrants are here for the same reasons as generations before them — to build a better life for themselves and their children. They contribute greatly to our economy.

Immigrant workers build our homes, pick our food and care for our elderly. But somehow we can’t find the will to fix the broken immigration system so people are treated with dignity, or even mourn the loss of a human life. For a country whose legacy is built on freedom, justice and human rights, Americans should all be ashamed that we’ve hit a new low.

To the editor:
In "Metro Green Hopes to Clean Traffic Scene," [The Stamford Times, July 13] Zoning Board President Phyllis Kapiloff states, "We've got to do whatever it takes to get fewer automobiles on the road." Unfortunately, Metro Green will do just the opposite and further clog our already congested roads.

Contrary to the developers' claims, W&M Properties' Metro Green development will not ease traffic in Stamford, and may in fact create serious congestion problems on both I-95 and local roads. In order to assess the transportation impacts of the Metro Green project, traffic engineer Brian Ketcham recently conducted a traffic study and found that W&M's analysis is dangerously shortsighted. As a result of the developers' refusal to account for future growth in the South End or the project's reliance on I-95, there could be major gridlocking on local roads and increased traffic on I-95. Adding insult to injury, the developers have failed to propose any meaningful traffic mitigation for the roads around the project site. Traffic generated by Metro Green could have serious consequences for quality of life in Stamford.

32BJ SEIU members, who work in commercial and residential buildings around Connecticut, including Stamford, are concerned about the city's growing traffic problem, and what it means for residents. Metro Green developers should put the safety and health of Stamford residents first. And Stamford residents should get involved by speaking out at future zoning board meetings.

The following statement is attributable to Héctor Figueroa, 32BJ Secretary-Treasurer:

“Introduction of the STRIVE Act is a step toward passing a bipartisan comprehensive immigration reform bill that will make our immigration system more humane while addressing border security, economic security, global competitiveness, and reestablishing the rule of law. Our broken immigration system fuels an underground economy that undermines standards for all working people. Everyone who works hard in America deserves a job that supports a family, affordable health care and a secure retirement - we see comprehensive immigration reform as a way of achieving this goal.”

With more than 85,000 members in six states and Washington, D.C., the majority of whom are immigrant workers, 32BJ is the largest property services union in the country.

In order to eradicate poverty and win civil and workplace rights, we must organize and build power in our communities. 2006 has been an historic year for building power in several ways. Latino and immigrant communities organized around the issue of immigration reform – we took peacefully to the streets to proclaim with pride that we contribute to the social, cultural and economic fabric of this country and to reclaim civil rights. And on November 7th, we built power with our vote, electing representatives who support our issues – it is estimated that 8 percent of voters were of Hispanic origin, the highest in history.

In October 2005, looking for an opportunity to escape poverty, more than 5,000 cleaning workers in Houston decided to form a union with the Service Employees International Union (SEIU). These workers know there is no future earning $20 a day without health care benefits. The cleaners – the majority are immigrant women, mostly Latino and many are single mothers – are fighting for a wage of $8.50 per hour, more working hours and health insurance under a union contract.

The five cleaning companies – ABM, OneSource, GCA, Sanitors and Pritchard – responded to the efforts of the cleaners by refusing to negotiate and committing civil rights abuses. On October 23rd, the Houston workers went on strike in protest of these abuses. Labor and community groups, religious leaders and elected officials support the janitors in their fight.

But in addition, the Houston janitors have the support and solidarity of cleaners who work for these same companies in other cities across the country. 32BJ members in our area have honored picket lines on behalf of the strikers. From Hartford, CT to Washington, DC, members are telling office workers in the buildings they clean about the strike. Dozens of 32BJ members have traveled to Houston to support the campaign, and more members from New York and Philadelphia are headed there this week. From Massachusetts to California, workers who have good wages, health insurance and dignity at the workplace are willing to stand up for those who don’t.

Houston is one of the richest cities in the nation, the cradle of prosperous oil corporations. But these cleaners earn some of the lowest wages in our country.

The Houston janitors are asking these five major cleaning companies to respect their rights and negotiate a fair contract. We don’t know when the strike will end, since the cleaning companies still refuse to do this. But we do know that power is building in Houston, and the level of solidarity from workers around the country is unprecedented. It’s time to use our strength and power to make work pay for all workers. By organizing together, we can end the vicious cycle of poverty in our communities.

Héctor Figueroa is Secretary-Treasurer of 32BJ SEIU. With more than 85,000 members in six states and Washington, DC, 32BJ is the largest union of property services workers in the country.

Times are tough for the American worker. Open a newspaper or turn on the TV these days and the news is mostly bad – employers are pushing health care costs onto workers and cutting pensions. Massive layoffs take place regularly. People are working longer and harder but have less economic security. The percentage of people classified as the working poor – those who work full time but aren’t able to make ends meet – is growing. Recent polls found workers are feeling more pessimistic than ever and that wages aren’t keeping up with inflation.

Right now the 1,500 hardworking men and women who maintain more than 500 residential buildings across Westchester County are fighting these disturbing trends in our negotiations for a new union contract.

We set three goals for this contract. First, we want to protect our employer-paid family health care. There is a major health care crisis in our country. Millions upon millions of people – unemployed and employed – don’t have health insurance at all. For the lucky ones who do have health care, costs are skyrocketing. Employers, frustrated by the system and faced with increasing rates, are forcing workers to pick up the costs.

However, we already pay for part of our health care in the form of co-pays at doctor and emergency room visits and for prescription drugs. Employers, government, unions and health care organizations must work together to find a solution, but until then, pushing costs onto workers – which cuts directly into wages and other benefits – is simply not a solution to the health care crisis that we can accept.

A new contract must also protect our retirement security. We cannot afford to risk losing our pensions, which we’ve earned on the job and help us support our families after we stop bringing home a paycheck.

Finally, we need to secure a fair wage increase. Westchester County is an expensive place to live, and the cost of living is always on the rise. We need an adequate raise in our pockets to help us continue providing for our families and keep up with the rising prices of gas, groceries and other basic necessities.

With just two days to go before the expiration of our contract, we remain far apart from the employers on an agreement. Their demands compromise our health care and retirement security and threaten good middle class jobs that keep our communities strong. Our proposal is fair and affordable.

Building service workers in Westchester have long set the standard for good jobs that help sustain healthy families and communities – and we are determined to keep these important standards in place for current and future jobs. Workers who earn good wages and have health care and retirement security are able to give back to their local community through spending and taxes, and have more time with their families. When job standards are chipped away bit-by-bit, working people are forced to work two and three low wage, no benefit jobs just to make ends meet.

We take pride in our jobs and work hard every day to ensure the safety and comfort of the tenants in our buildings. We want to work and keep Westchester’s buildings running smoothly. But make no mistake about it, if the employers leave us no choice but to strike, then that’s what we’ll have to do. We are ready and willing to fight to protect the standards that make our jobs the kind of good, decent jobs that you can raise a family on.

Tonight residential workers from across Westchester are coming together for a rally to take our message to the streets in White Plains: we’re fighting to protect our families and our future. Yes, this fight is for our contract, but it is also about the bigger picture – the trends facing American workers are just not acceptable. It’s time to draw a line in the sand. It’s time for working people to stand up, to stand together and to fight back.

En este receso del 4 de julio los Republicanos de la Cámara de Representantes decidieron animar el verano lanzando una serie de supuestas audiencias sobre la seguridad en la frontera dirigidas a inclinar la opinión pública contra una verdadera reforma migratoria.

Con títulos como "¿En qué medida se compara el proyecto de ley Reid-Kennedy al proyecto de ley de Seguridad en la Frontera de la Cámara de Representantes cuando se trata de mejorar la infraestructura en la frontera?" y "¿Se puede decir que las disposiciones de amnistía del proyecto de ley Reid-Kennedy repiten los errores de la Ley de Control y Reforma Migratoria de 1986?", en realidad las audiencias son una treta para desbaratar los esfuerzos actuales para arreglar el quebrado sistema migratorio de nuestra nación.

Esta es una serie de acontecimientos preocupantes considerando que hace solamente unos cuantos meses atrás, millones de inmigrantes y los que les apoyan lograron llevar directamente a la luz pública la necesidad de una reforma migratoria a través de manifestaciones muy grandes y pacíficas. Estas protestas fueron iniciadas por una legislación dura, injusta y poco práctica de la Cámara de Representantes que criminalizaría a los inmigrantes y convertiría en delincuentes a los que los ayudan.

Un programa de reforma migratoria debe proteger a los trabajadores y tomar medidas enérgicas contra los empleadores inescrupulosos que violan la ley y los explotan. El sistema actual obliga a los trabajadores a tomar puestos de salarios bajos y malas condiciones, lo que significa una amenaza para los estándares en el centro de trabajo. No incluir la protección laboral a los trabajadores indocumentados perjudicará a todos los trabajadores.

Todo programa de reforma migratoria debe contener medidas de seguridad para la frontera, incluyendo más agentes de patrullaje y nueva tecnología así como el respeto a los derechos humanos y las vidas de quienes optan por cruzar. Pero no es suficiente solamente la seguridad en la frontera.

Tambien necesitamos colocar en el camino a la ciudadanía a los 12 millones de inmigrantes indocumentados que ya están aquí y que trabajan duro, pagan impuestos y acatan las reglas. Y necesitamos ser realistas sobre el flujo futuro de inmigrantes y establecer un programa de trabajadores invitados que tiene sentido para nuestra economía.

Afortunadamente la respuesta del Senado de los Estados Unidos , aunque imperfecta, fue más constructiva - en mayo, el Senado aprobó una propuesta de legislación que, contrario a la aprobada por la cámara, incluyó la legalización de los trabajadores indocumentados . Aunque la propuesta necesita mejoras sustanciales para poderla endosar, es un paso en la dirección correcta.

Una reforma migratoria integral debe y puede honrar nuestra tradición como una nación de inmigrantes y una nación respetuosa de las leyes. El público norteamericano no debe distraerse con estas audiencias de verano, sino más bien debe poner presión sobre los funcionarios elegidos para que se mantengan enfocados en aprobar este año una legislación sobre la reforma migratoria que sea responsable, justa y práctica y que contribuya la seguridad para nuestra nación, proteja los derechos de los trabajadores y de los inmigrantes y mantenga nuestra economía de manera saludable.

Héctor Figueroa es el Secretario-Tesorero de la 32BJ, el sindicato más grande del sector privado en el área triestatal de Nueva York.

This July 4th recess, House Republicans decided to beat the summer doldrums by launching a series of so-called border security hearings bent on swaying public opinion against real immigration reform. With titles such as "How does the Reid-Kenney bill compare to the House Border Security bill when it comes to enhancing border infrastructure?" and "Do the Reid-Kennedy bill’s amnesty provisions repeat the mistakes of the Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986?" the hearings are a ploy to derail our best chance at fixing our nation’s broken immigration system.

It’s troublesome turn of events, considering that just months ago, millions of immigrants and their supporters successfully brought the need for immigration reform squarely into the public spotlight through large and peaceful demonstrations. These protests were sparked by harsh, unfair and impractical House legislation that would criminalize immigrants and turn those who help them into felons.

Fortunately the response of the U.S. Senate was more constructive – in May, the Senate passed a balanced piece of legislation. Though the bill needs improvements, it is a step in the right direction, despite the negative portrayal by House Republicans of the bill's intended goals.

Any immigration reform program must contain border security measures, including more patrol agents and new technology. But border security alone is not enough. We need to put the 12 million undocumented immigrants who are already here – working hard, paying taxes and playing by the rules – on the path to citizenship. We also need to be realistic about the future flow of immigrants, and create a guest worker program that makes sense for our economy.

Finally, the government must crack down on unscrupulous employers who break the law and exploit undocumented workers. The current system forces these workers into low wage jobs and poor conditions, threatening workplace standards for all working people. Failing to extend worker protections to undocumented workers will hurt all workers.

Comprehensive immigration reform can and must honor our heritage as a nation of immigrants and a nation of laws. The American public must not get sidetracked by these summer hearings, but instead put pressure on elected officials to stay focused on passing tough, fair and practical immigration reform legislation this year that will secure our nation, protect immigrant and worker rights and keep our economy healthy.

Hector Figueroa is Secretary-Treasurer of 32BJ, the largest private sector union in the New York tri-state area.

Miles de personas en 75 ciudades de todo el país se lanzarán hoy a las calles en respaldo a los derechos de los inmigrantes. Los inmigrantes y sus aliados estarán marchando, protestando y alzando sus voces para generar un cambio en las leyes de inmigración. Ellos cuentan con el respaldo de grupos de derechos civiles y de derechos de los inmigrantes, así como de organizaciones empresariales, religiosas y comunitarias, y de los sindicatos.

Las organizaciones laborales han constituido el movimiento más efectivo en la lucha contra la pobreza en la historia del país, ayudando a familias trabajadoras a conseguir una mejor vida y un futuro más brillante. Los sindicatos están presionando para conseguir una reforma integral de la inmigración porque todos los trabajadores son afectados por un sistema de inmigración que no funciona. Dicho sistema alimenta una subeconomía clandestina que obliga a los trabajadores a tomar empleos con bajos salarios y paupérrimas condiciones. Esto amenaza las normas salariales y de beneficios por las que el movimiento sindical ha luchado tanto por conseguir.

Los empleadores inescrupulosos explotan a los trabajadores inmigrantes que carecen de estatus legal. Esta explotación crea una presión en los salarios y beneficios y pone a todos los trabajadores en riesgo. ¿Qué pasa en nuestra economía cuando los salarios y condiciones de trabajo se reducen tanto que la gente trabajadora no tiene lo suficiente como para cubrir sus necesidades?

Un tema recurrente en todo debate sobre la inmigración es que nuestra nación fue forjada sobre las espaldas de los inmigrantes. Los inmigrantes llegaron a este país para trabajar arduamente y a forjar una mejor vida para ellos y sus familias; y todavía lo siguen haciendo. Nuestra unión sindical, la 32BJ, está compuesta mayoritariamente por trabajadores inmigrantes - trabajadores latinos de limpieza de oficinas comerciales; trabajadores residenciales de Europa del este, guardias de seguridad caribeños. Estos trabajadores, y otros tantos millones como ellos, contribuyen a la economía y la diversidad cultural de nuestra sociedad.

En vez de proponer medidas poco realistas, mal intencionadas y contraproducentes -tales como deportar a millones de esforzadores inmigrantes que pagan impuestos; convertir a buenos samaritanos en malhechores; o construir una muralla en la frontera-, el Congreso debe enfrentar la realidad cambiando la ley y reconocer el impacto positivo de los inmigrantes en nuestra economía; una ley que refleje la realidad de una sociedad global y móvil, y que resuelva, además, legítimas preocupaciones de la seguridad fronteriza. Si nuestros políticos electos tienen alguna duda sobre por qué necesitamos una solución práctica y realista, deberían mirar el rostro de la gente que sirve nuestras comidas, lava nuestra ropa, cosecha nuestros alimentos, cuida a nuestros hijos y a nuestros ancianos y limpia y vigila los edificios en los que trabajamos. Sólo entonces deberían proponer, con mentalidad de avanzada, leyes firmes y prácticas que hagan justicia a estos trabajadores.

Llamamos al Congreso a que oiga las voces de la gente que está marchando, para que implementen leyes realistas y bipartidistas que generen un proceso ordenado para futuros inmigrantes, brinde una vía para que esforzados inmigrantes que pagan impuestos puedan hacerse ciudadanos, incremente la seguridad del país, permita la reunificación familiar y garantice que los inmigrantes cuenten con sus derechos civiles y laborales.

Es hora que todos salgamos en defensa de los trabajadores y recompensemos sus labores: componiendo un sistema de inmigración que no funciona es un buen comienzo.
es secretario-tesorero de 32BJ, en la marcha.

Thousands of people in 75 cities around the country are hitting the streets today in support of immigrant rights. Immigrants and their allies are marching, rallying and raising their voices for change in immigration laws. They are supported by civil and immigrant rights groups, businesses, religious and community organizations – and by labor unions.

Labor unions have been the most effective anti-poverty movement in this country’s history, helping working families achieve better lives and brighter futures. Unions are pushing for comprehensive immigration reform because all workers are hurt by the broken immigration system. The system feeds an underground economy, forcing workers into low wage jobs and poor conditions. This threatens wage and benefit standards that labor has long fought to achieve.

Unscrupulous employers exploit immigrant workers who lack legal status. This exploitation drives down wages and benefits, putting all workers at risk. What becomes of our economy when wages and conditions are driven so low that working people can no longer make ends meet?

One recurring theme throughout the immigration debate is that our nation was built on the backs of immigrants. Immigrants came here to work hard and build a better life for themselves and their families, and still do. Our union, 32BJ, is comprised largely of immigrant workers – Latino commercial office cleaners, eastern European residential workers, Caribbean security officers. These workers, like millions of others, contribute to the economy and our diverse cultural fabric.

Instead of proposing unrealistic, mean-spirited and counter-productive measures, like deporting millions of hardworking, taxpaying immigrants, turning good Samaritans into felons or building a wall on the border, Congress should come to grips with reality by changing the law to recognize the positive impact immigrants have on our economy, reflects the realities of a global, mobile society and addresses legitimate concerns over border security.

If our elected leaders have any doubt about why we need a fair and realistic solution, they should look in the eyes of the people who serve our meals, wash our clothes, care for our children and the elderly, clean and secure the buildings we work in and pick our food – and then come up with forward-thinking, tough and practical legislation that does right by these workers.

We call on Congress to listen to the voices of the people marching and enact realistic, bipartisan legislation that creates an orderly process for future immigrants, provides a path to citizenship for hardworking, taxpaying immigrants, enhances security, reunites families and ensures immigrants have workplace and civil rights.

It’s about time we protect all workers and reward their work – and fixing our broken immigration system is a good place to start.

Union Leadership